Herring Under Fur Coat Near Me: Where to Find Shuba Salad in the US

Herring Under Fur Coat Near Me

Walk into almost any Russian or Ukrainian home on New Year’s Eve and you’ll see it on the table. A tall, glossy slab of purple, pink, and gold, cut into neat squares. It’s called shuba, short for “selyodka pod shuboy.” In English, that’s herring under a fur coat.

The name sounds strange until you see it. Salted herring sits at the bottom, then layers of potato, carrot, onion, and egg pile on top. A final layer of grated beets mixed with mayonnaise covers everything like a thick, warm coat.

If you’ve had it at a friend’s party and now find yourself searching for herring under fur coat near me, you’re in the right place. This guide names restaurants and markets across the US that serve it, explains what to expect on the plate, and gives you tips for finding it in your own city.

What Is Herring Under a Fur Coat?

Herring under a fur coat is a layered salad from the former Soviet Union. It became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, when ingredients were limited but people still wanted something festive. Root vegetables, eggs, mayo, and salted fish were easy to find, so the dish caught on fast.

A typical shuba has these layers, from bottom to top:

1. Salted herring, cut into small pieces
2. Chopped onion, sometimes soaked to soften the bite
3. Boiled potato, grated or diced
4. Boiled carrot, grated
5. Hard-boiled egg, grated
6. Boiled beets, grated and mixed with mayonnaise on top

Each layer gets a thin spread of mayonnaise. The salad then rests in the fridge for several hours, or overnight, so the flavors blend and the beets turn everything a deep pink.

It tastes salty, sweet, creamy, and earthy all at once. The herring gives it a savory kick, and the beets add a mild sweetness. If you like pickled fish or potato salad, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy it.

Herring Under Fur Coat Near Me: Places to Try

Shuba shows up most often at Russian, Ukrainian, and Eastern European restaurants, plus the prepared food counters at Russian markets. Here are the spots that come up most when people search for herring under fur coat near me. Menus change, so call ahead before you make the trip.

1. Mari Vanna (New York City)

Mari Vanna feels like walking into a grandmother’s Moscow apartment, with mismatched china, lace curtains, and shelves of old books. Its menu lists Herring Under a Fur Coat in the salads section, made with chopped herring, roasted carrots, beets, and potatoes, dressed in mayo and topped with sliced egg. It runs about $24. You’ll also find olivier and vinegret, two other classic Soviet salads, if you want to build a full zakuski spread.

2. Kachka (Portland, Oregon)

Kachka is one of the best-known Russian restaurants in the country. Chef Bonnie Morales has made her version of herring under a fur coat a signature dish. She marinates the herring and dices it with sweet onion, dill, and oil, then tops it with house-made beet mayonnaise. The result looks like a colorful layered cake and tastes richer than most home versions. It’s a must-try if you’re in Portland.

3. New World Market (San Francisco, California)

This large Russian market in the Richmond District has a deli counter packed with prepared dishes. Shuba is one of the standouts, along with crab salad, vinegret, and olivier. Buying it by the pound makes it easy to bring a tray home for a party. It’s also a great option if you want to taste it before ordering a full plate at a restaurant.

4. Tatiana Restaurant (Brighton Beach, Brooklyn)

Tatiana sits right on the Brighton Beach boardwalk, in the heart of the largest Russian-speaking community in the US. On weekend nights it turns into a full cabaret with dancers and a banquet-style meal. Herring and cold zakuski platters are part of the experience. Ask about shuba when you book, especially if you’re going for a holiday or celebration.

5. Brighton Beach Delis and Markets (Brooklyn)

Brighton Beach Avenue is lined with Russian grocery stores and delis. Many keep trays of shuba in their prepared food cases, especially from December through early January. Walking the avenue and checking a few counters is one of the easiest ways to find herring under a fur coat in New York.

6. Netcost Market (New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania)

Netcost is a chain of Eastern European supermarkets with large prepared food departments. Locations often stock classic Russian salads, including shuba, by the pound. It’s a handy choice if you live outside Brooklyn but still want a ready-made tray.

7. Passage Restaurant (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Passage is an Eastern European restaurant known for cooked salads, soups, and potato pancakes. Cold layered salads like shuba fit right into its menu style. Call ahead to confirm it’s available on the day you plan to visit.

8. Russian Tea Time (Chicago, Illinois)

Russian Tea Time is a Chicago institution near the Art Institute, serving borscht, golubtsy, and beef stroganoff in a cozy dining room. If you’re searching for herring under fur coat near me in Chicago, it’s a good place to ask, since its menu leans on traditional Russian dishes and special holiday offerings.

Quick Comparison Table

How to Find Herring Under a Fur Coat in Your City

Not every town has a Russian restaurant, but shuba is often closer than you think. Use these tips when you search for herring under fur coat near me:

• Search several names. Try “shuba salad,” “dressed herring,” “selyodka pod shuboy,” and “Russian layered salad” along with the English name.
• Look for Eastern European markets. Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Lithuanian, and Latvian grocery stores often sell it at the deli counter.
• Check Georgian and Uzbek restaurants. Many are run by families from the former Soviet Union and keep shuba on the menu.
• Time your search. Shuba is a holiday dish. December and early January bring the most options.
• Call ahead. Smaller places make it in batches, and it can sell out.
• Ask about catering. Many restaurants will make a full tray for parties with a few days’ notice.

What Makes a Good Shuba

Once your herring under fur coat near me search pays off, you’ll want to judge what lands on your plate. Not all versions taste the same. Here’s how to spot a well-made one:

• Distinct layers. You should see clear bands of color when it’s sliced.
• Moist, not soggy. The salad should hold its shape without pooling liquid.
• Good herring. The fish should taste clean and salty, not fishy or mushy.
• Balanced mayo. Thin spreads between layers keep it creamy without feeling heavy.
• Rested properly. A shuba that sat overnight has deeper flavor and a richer pink color.

How Much Does It Cost?

Budget matters too when you look up herring under fur coat near me. Prices vary by city and setting, but here’s a rough guide:

• Restaurant portion: $14 to $25
• Market deli, by the pound: $8 to $15
• Full party tray from a deli or caterer: $40 to $90

Markets give you the best value, while restaurants give you the full experience with drinks and other dishes.

When and How People Eat Shuba

In Russian and Ukrainian homes, shuba is a centerpiece of New Year’s Eve, which is the biggest holiday of the year for many families. It also shows up at birthdays, weddings, and big family dinners.

It’s served cold as part of a zakuski spread, the Russian version of a table of appetizers. Common partners include pickles, rye bread, smoked fish, and a shot of cold vodka.

Other Salads to Try If You Love Shuba

If you enjoy creamy, festive salads, you’ll find plenty of cousins around the world. Spain and Latin America have their own take on olivier, and you can explore where to get the Best Ensalada Rusa Navidad during the holiday season.

Want something fresher and lighter? Chilean cooks love salads built around ripe avocado, and this guide to the Best Ensalada Con Palta shows you what it is and where to find it. For a bright, tangy side with onion, tomato, and peppers, check out the Best Ensalada Criolla for spots that serve it well.

Making It at Home

Can’t find it nearby? Shuba is easy to make, just a little slow. Boil the potatoes, carrots, beets, and eggs. Let them cool, grate them, and layer everything with herring and mayonnaise. Then chill it for at least four hours.

Jarred herring fillets in oil work well and are easy to find at Eastern European markets. A glass dish or a ring mold helps you get clean layers.

Final Thoughts

Your search for herring under fur coat near me may take a little digging, but it’s worth it. Big cities like New York, San Francisco, Portland, Chicago, and Philadelphia have restaurants and markets that serve it, and Eastern European delis in smaller towns often carry it too. Try a restaurant version for the full experience, grab a tray from a market for your next party, and don’t skip it if you see it during the holidays. Once you’ve had a good shuba, you’ll understand why it’s been a family favorite for decades.

Key Takeaways

• Herring under a fur coat, or shuba, is a layered Soviet-era salad of salted herring, potato, carrot, onion, egg, and beets, held together with mayonnaise.
• Mari Vanna in New York lists Herring Under a Fur Coat for about $24, and Kachka in Portland serves a chef-driven version with house-made beet mayonnaise.
• New World Market in San Francisco, Brighton Beach delis in Brooklyn, and Netcost Market locations sell shuba by the pound at their deli counters.
• Tatiana in Brighton Beach, Passage in Philadelphia, and Russian Tea Time in Chicago are good places to ask, especially around the holidays.
• Search for “shuba,” “dressed herring,” and “selyodka pod shuboy” too, and check Eastern European, Georgian, and Uzbek spots.
• Shuba is a New Year’s Eve staple, so December and early January bring the most options. Always call ahead.
• Expect to pay $14 to $25 for a restaurant portion, $8 to $15 per pound at a deli, and $40 to $90 for a party tray.
• A good shuba has clear layers, clean-tasting herring, light mayo, and a deep pink color from resting overnight.